Where History Lives

Fort Roberdeau

Visit Us

We are a county park, and our grounds are open to the public year round 8am until sunset. Although the fort is only open to tours part of the year, there are other activities available at the site year round. Picnic tables, pathways, geocaching, a lot of space to walk and wander and cross country skiing in the winter.

School Tours

Plan Now

Our award winning School tours are something a little different than what you may find at other sites. They are offered to school groups and other youth organizations. It is an exciting day of 18th century learning. Our tours are not a simple tour, but a day of educational stations that kids never forget.

40th Anniversary

1976-2016

This year we will be celebrating the 40th year since our Bicentennial Dedication. It is a special year here at the fort. We are looking forward to sharing it with you. Come back for updates and more details on upcoming demonstrations and events!

Our History

Heritage

Fort Roberdeau was originally built in 1778 to safeguard a lead mining operation that General Roberdeau had planned and financed. The lead produced here was shipped east to be made into musketballs. The fort safeguarded not only miners, but the local population, from Tory and Native American raids, and established a foot hold for future generations of settlers.

Marketfaire

Event 2016

Marketfaire is held every fall. It features Living Historians, Entertainers, Sutlers, Reenactors and a muzzleloading competition at the neighboring range. The Sutlers are artisans and sellers of 18th century goods and wares from throughout the Eastern United States . More Information.

2:00 - 3:00 pm

by George W. Pedlow III, PhD

In White Oak Hall at Fort Roberdeau

FREE admission

Where's the lead? It's a question visitors frequently ask of Fort Roberdeau's tour guides. Geologist George Pedlow has the answer! By combining old maps with satellite maps, he can pinpoint the location of lead deposits in Sinking Valley. Join us in White Oak Hall for this fascinating and timely topic on the last Sunday of the 2016 40th Anniversary season.

As a child living in the country outside Lock Haven, George Pedlow introduced himself to geology when he found quartz crystals in a cliff next to the Lock Haven State Teachers College football field. Thereafter, his father became interested, and they were 'rock hounds' together for years. After graduating from Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA, with a major in geology, Pedlow worked for an engineering company on several acid mine drainage projects in Pennsylvania and Maryland, in both the bituminous and anthracite coal fields. Pedlow earned a graduate degree and PhD at the University of South Carolina. From there he worked for a coal company in Pittsburgh and then on oil field research in California. Returning to Pennsylvania, Pedlow was a consulting geologist for a number of years. Several years after the fatal illness of his wife, Jeannie, Pedlow married Linda Morrow, who, with her late husband, Sinking Valley native David Morrow, had bought and restored Arch Spring Farm in Sinking Valley. Now Sinking Valley offers endless opportunities for Pedlow to resume his childhood hobby of 'earth science' - even a little 'rock hounding'.